Wisconsin's Remote Lakes Are Stunning Beauties For Fishing And Peaceful Vibes

With some 15,000 lakes to explore, Wisconsin has plenty to offer visitors looking for natural beauty and peaceful scenery. While hotspots like the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior and the rocky bluffs at Devil's Lake State Park may draw in crowds, the Badger State still has serene destinations for a lake getaway. About 20 miles from Hayward, home of the "world's largest musky," are a set of three remote and beautiful lakes: the Quiet Lakes.

The Quiet Lakes are located in Wisconsin's unique Chequamegon National Forest, a pristine forest covering about 1.5 million acres. The three lakes that make up the Quiet Lakes are Lost Land Lake, Teal Lake, and Ghost Lake. Lost Land covers about 1,300 acres, Teal covers about 1,000, and Ghost is slightly smaller, encompassing around 370 acres. Lost Land and Teal Lakes are connected by a waterway, providing easy access between the two. The fishing here is superb, and the genuine quietness of the lakes adds to the relaxing atmosphere. Travel Wisconsin notes that the serenity makes the lakes "unique to the Midwest and Wisconsin's Northwoods."

The Quiet Lakes received their name thanks to a 10-mph speed limit on the three lakes — this means there is no waterskiing, tubing, or jet skiing allowed. Without the noisy sounds of fast boat motors, the lakes are truly quiet. Canoeing, kayaking, and swimming are popular here, as there are no large wakes from motorboats to contend with. Wildlife thrives in this environment — as you explore the lakes, you might spot beavers, eagles, osprey, sandhill cranes, loons, blue herons, and otters. It's a beautiful place to visit and connect with nature.

The Quiet Lakes are a top pick for fishing. Lost Land Lake has 11 miles of shoreline, Teal Lake has 10 miles, and Ghost Lake has 7 miles. Thanks to the speed restrictions on these lakes, the weed beds here are relatively undisturbed, and this makes for great fishing. Tiger muskies are found in the lakes' weed beds and bays — Lost Land Lake is a Class A musky lake. Besides muskies, anglers can also catch walleye, northern pike, crappie, largemouth bass, and panfish. Visit the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Hayward and see the giant musky, a landmark made of concrete, fiberglass, and steel. The structure is 4.5 stories tall and can hold up to 20 people in the observation deck, located in the open mouth of the fish.

The Quiet Lakes are located in northern Wisconsin, not far from the appealing waterfront city of Ashland and Lake Superior. The closest major international airport is Duluth International Airport in Minnesota, a 2-hour drive away. There are a number of cozy, relaxed lodges and resorts around the Quiet Lakes, such as Northland Lodge and Wilson Bay Lodge on Lost Land Lake, and Ghost Lake Lodge on Ghost Lake.